Fed: Australia to flex foreign policy muscle in South Pacific

00-00-0000
Fed: Australia to flex foreign policy muscle in South Pacific

By Sandra O'Malley

CANBERRA, Aug 12 AAP - Australia will get another chance to put its foreign policystamp on its Pacific neighbours when it pushes a plan to bolster policing in the region.

Prime Minister John Howard will outline the multi-million dollar plan at the PacificIslands Forum in Auckland this week, the first step towards getting the small island nationsto better use their scant resources.

Australia is keen to put its often strife-torn neighbours on a more stable footing,in an effort to remove any foundation for the growth of terrorism in the region.

The proposal comes just weeks after Australia took the lead to restore law and orderin the Solomon Islands, heading a 2,300-strong multinational peacekeeping force to thecountry.

The Australian decision to send an intervention force preceded any formal invitationfrom the Solomons parliament and marked a major shift in its role in the South Pacific.

Now Australia will steer debate on a policy Mr Howard has termed pooled regional governance,which would involve smaller Pacific islands pooling their resources to promote more efficientoutcomes.

Mr Howard will detail the policing initiative - which reportedly involves Australiatraining regional police forces in Fiji - at the forum.

Australia will also suggest a study to examine the most efficient use of air servicesfor the region.

As well, Mr Howard wants forum leaders to look at ways to better resource and strengthenthe forum secretariat to help small nations with issues such as economic management.

Australia will further flex its regional muscle with the promotion of its own candidate,Greg Urwin, for the role of secretary-general of the forum.

The position has always been filled by a candidate from one of the Pacific islands.

Mr Urwin, a former senior officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade(DFAT), faces competition from candidates from Tonga, Samoa and Nauru.

Australian officials concede it will be a tough job winning support for his nominationbut will strongly push his credentials.

Mr Howard flies to Auckland tomorrow ahead of the official start of the forum on Thursday.

He leaves New Zealand on Sunday for a three-day visit to China to meet President HuJintao and Premier Wen Jiabao, both newly elected in March.

AAP so/sb/cjm/de

KEYWORD: FORUM PREVIEW